Improvement in hopples



B. F. MELTON.

I'IOPPLES.

No. 194,362. Patented. Aug.`z1,1e77.

@nf l ATTUBNEYS.

.P'EYERS. PHcTO-LlrHoQn/APMER. WASHINGTON. D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT ClEEICEC BENJAMIN F. MELTON, OF GAINESVILLE, TEXAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HCPPLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [94,362, dated August 21, 1877; application filed June 18, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. MELTON, of Gainesville,in the county of (.look and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Hopple, of which the i'ollowin g is a specification:

Figures l and 2 are side elevations of my improved hopple, Fig. l being partly in section. Fig. 3 is a plan or top View of the same. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Myinvention relates to hopples for fetter-in g animals when turned out to graze; and it consists of a metallic band composed of three equal parts, two of which are hinged toa third, and provided with a fastening, by means of which it may be secured to the leg of the anima In the drawing, A B C are the parts of the hopple-band, `the parts B C being hinged to the part A. The part B is provided with a rectangular opening, a, which receives a hook, b, formed on the part C. The end of the part B is set out, so that when the vparts B C are hooked together the inner surface oi' the band will be smooth and regular.

A spring, D, is attached to the part C, and its free end rests against the inner surface of the hook b, and prevents the parts from becoming nni'astened.

A link, c, is secured in the joint between the parts A C by the rivet of the joint, and designed to receive a chain attached to another similar jointed band. The edges ofthe band are flared, and may be perforated, so that a lining may be attached.

The hopple is to be Worn by the animal below the pastern-joint, and the chain connecting the two bands may be made adjustable.

Having thus described myinvention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A hopple consisting of the parts A B C and link c, the part B having an opening, a, and the part G having the hook b and spring D, substantially as herein shown and described.

BENJAMIN F. MELTON.

Witnesses GHAS. E. EDWARDS, P. B. STONER. 

